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Commissioner Wheeler stated that he would like to see us as a county proceed to follow up on these wells, and he felt we need to develop some vehicle to deal with this. Chairman Scurlock noted that he is suggesting that through our Utilities Department we seriously look at preserving this resource and the possibility that a very small portion of the utility bill could be set aside for this purpose. Administrator Balczun suggested that staff could come back in a few weeks with a recommended program. Discussion continued about where you get the authority to cap these wells if the property owner is not in agreement. Mr. Galanis wished to point out that we really aren't talking about capping wells, we are talking about "grouting" wells. He informed the. Board that he has been working with this issue for 4 or 5 years, and every one he finds is referred to St. John's and is either capped or plugged. He explained that he is not talking about the wells that feed the lakes because they are all grandfathered if they were built before 1952. As to authority, there are state laws about plugging these wells, and the Environmental Control Ordinance allows us to enforce state law; so, there is no doubt we can enforce the plugging of a free flowing well. Mr. Galanis also wanted to mention that there is a revenue sharing program in which you contract and work with St. John's so it will lower the costs for both entities, and St. John's is very interested in working in that type of program. The Chairman believed we should develop an overall policy and a plan and a source of funding. Commissioner Bird did not see us getting involved on a local basis if this is being done effectively by St. John's. Mr. Galanis emphasized that it is not being done effec- tively. We do not have a high enough priority overall in St. John's, and there is not enough money, and that is why they are trying to set up cost sharing programs. 42 SAY 1 0 1988 BOOK 72 FACE 322